FL3 Office Hours - Registration

Please assign one Parent or D/HH Leader per program to attend and bring back information.
Captioning will be provided. For other access needs, please register 1 week prior to the date and indicate your needs.

Registration is required 48 hours in advance. (One week prior for communication access requests.)

Registration confirmation, Zoom access, password and captioning information will be sent to registrants the day prior.

FL3 DHH Office Hours:
From Information to Empowerment Through Connections

April 30, 2026 6 pm - 7 pm MT

Description of Event

When families learn their child is deaf or hard of hearing, they are often met with an overwhelming amount of information and a sense of urgency around early decisions. Research shows that how support is delivered during this period can significantly influence not only decision-making, but also parent confidence, engagement, and long-term outcomes for children.

This session shares findings from a qualitative study of Maine’s Early Intervention initiative, Exploring Language and Communication Opportunities (ELCO), which examined family perspectives on what supports were most impactful. Families described feeling empowered through early visits, supported in their decision-making, and strengthened by connections with others who have lived experience, notably Deaf and hard of hearing adults and other parents. They also valued having space to reflect on, document, and revisit their choices, with the process framed as an ongoing journey rather than a one-time decision.

These findings have direct implications for family-based organizations and the EHDI programs they serve. When families feel confident—not just informed—they are more likely to stay engaged, access resources, and advocate effectively for their children. Through a brief presentation and facilitated discussion, participants will explore how to translate these research findings into practical strategies. This session will offer practical ideas for family leaders and EHDI staff to help families feel informed, confident, and supported from the very beginning.

Join with other family leaders and EHDI program staff to discuss this topic and share your questions, resources, and strategies in this interactive discussion.

One family leader/EHDI staff (or two per organization) is preferred to keep the discussion manageable.

Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

Identify key research-based factors that influence family confidence and empowerment in early intervention.
Explain why connections to deaf and hard of hearing adults and other parents of deaf and hard of hearing adults are critical to family engagement and decision-making.
Identify at least one strategy or resource to support families in reflecting on and revisiting communication and language decisions over time.

Presenter

Dr. Karen Hopkins

Dr. Karen Hopkins is the Executive Director/CEO of The Children’s Center for Communication/Beverly School for the Deaf and President of the Hands & Voices HQ Board of Directors. Her immediate past experience includes serving as the Executive Director of the Maine Educational Center for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing/Governor Baxter School for the Deaf and as a founding member of the Hands & Voices Chapter in Maine. With degrees, certifications, and experience in deaf and special education, early intervention, and a doctorate in educational leadership, she brings over 35 years of experience and insight into her work with deaf/hard of hearing children, the professionals who serve them, and their families.

Karen brings both professional and lived experience to her work as a deaf adult, traumatic brain injury survivor, and parent of a child who is hard of hearing. Her work focuses on strengthening family-centered systems, increasing access to lived-experience connections, and advancing family empowerment in early intervention. She is also engaged in international efforts to support families of deaf and hard of hearing children.